Best of Steve Goodier: A Life that Makes a Difference

This article first appeared in our blog here.

“How do you account for your remarkable accomplishment in life?”

Queen Victoria of England asked Helen Keller. “How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?”

Ms. Keller’s answer is a tribute to her dedicated teacher. “If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown.” Read more

Best of Blog: The Power of Giving

It was a really hot summer’s day many years ago. I was on my way to pick up two items at the grocery store. In those days, I was a frequent visitor to the supermarket because there never seemed to be enough money for a whole week’s food-shopping at once.

You see, my young wife, after a tragic battle with cancer, had died just a few months earlier. There was no insurance — just many expenses and a mountain of bills. I held a part-time job, which barely generated enough money to feed my two young children. Things were bad — really bad.

And so it was that day, with a heavy heart and four dollars in my pocket, I was on my way to the supermarket to purchase a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread. The children were hungry and I had to get them something to eat. As I came to a red traffic light, I noticed on my right, a young man, a young woman and a child on the grass next to the road. The blistering noonday sun beat down on them without mercy. Read more

Best of Blog: Fritz and The Phantom

aka: Get Off the Sideline. Get Into the Game!™

I wasn’t expecting a flood of tears to come gushing down my face, but I found it difficult to dam it up for almost the entire first half of the performance.

Witnessing one apple of my eye, my oldest daughter, performing on stage with my youngest grandson in The Nutcracker was almost too much to take in one sitting. But indeed I took it with great nostalgia and pride as Cameron played Fritz, the spoiled and rascally son of the governess, played by Sara.
Rushing back were memories of delivering Sara to dance lessons, rehearsals, competitions, recitals, fundraising events and conventions, year after year, witnessing the progress as talent and geography expanded to include destinations like New York and Las Vegas.

Now, in this precious moment, a very similar road was being paved for and by Cameron, nine years old, with a dancing talent and passion even more profound than his mom. His large dance school, the one his mother attended, put a dance competition team together around the little guy three years ago. They dominate the competition in every city they compete in. And Sara couldn’t be more excited about the possibilities. Read more

Best of Blog: It Takes Courage to Want More

I wanted to write a letter to the part of myself that dared to listen to her pain more than her need for stability, image, and protection. That part helped me discover my true unbelievably good life and unwavering security….

Years ago, I sat cross legged on a beach, and considered ending my life. I didn’t see another choice. I was an honors graduate of Harvard Law School on partnership track at a major law firm. I couldn’t bear my day-evening-weekend job, even with its lush paycheck and validation. I couldn’t figure out any other options with my frantic analytical mind. I had no sparkling faith or trust in myself, God, the Universe, or even the tooth fairy, back then.

You build that faith, when you leap— not before. Read more

Best of Blog: My Prayer for Peace

Whereas the wounded self can never do the work
of the self healed, I pray that God will give us guidance
and never forsake us, yes, even though the world around us
should crumble and should quake;

I pray for a kinder day, that reason should prevail,
that we should recover and recoup from wounds too severe
for mere mortals to contemplate and to bear;

I pray for peace in our homes and in our lands,
for the Mercy of all Creation to shower down upon us,
that our worst of days and our best of days should be difficult
to differentiate one from the other;

I pray for the Earth, the Mother of us all,
no more to be neglected , assaulted, and assailed; Read more

Best of Blog: You suppose you are the trouble…

You suppose you are the trouble
But you are the cure
You suppose that you are the lock on the door
But you are the key that opens it
It’s too bad that you want to be someone else
You don’t see your own face, your own beauty
Yet, no face is more beautiful than yours.

~Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Best of Blog: Tony Robbins Tells Rocky Story

Tony Robbins discusses the adversity Sylvester Stallone had to overcome in order to inspire others to make his Academy Award winning hit movie, “Rocky”.

Best of Blog: The Technician

Watch this inspirational video as the cable guy fixes the problem this elderly gentleman has with his television set in this National Film Board of Canada Cannes Short Film Corner entry. Directed by Canadian, Simon Olivier Fecteau.

Best of Blog: Jose Abreu on kids transformed by music

From a TedTalk presentation given in 2009:

Jose Antonio Abreu is the charismatic founder of El Sistema, a youth orchestra system that has transformed thousands of kids’ lives in Venezuela. Here he shares his amazing story and unveils a TED Prize wish that could have a big impact in the US and beyond.

Best of Blog: Native American - Amazing Grace

Beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace in Cherokee by Walela.  Walela is the Cherokee word for hummingbird and the symbol of inspiration for this family of women singers. They are iconic singer, multi-Grammy Award winner, Rita Coolidge, her sister Priscilla Coolidge, and Priscilla’s daughter, Laura Satterfield.

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